10 Years Ago Today-Part 3

Time seemed to slow down through out the rest of the day, but just as I was ready to throw in the towel, the love of my life walked through the door. I was thrilled to see him! We hugged, but I think he was anxious to see his little boy than anything else. Under the circumstances, who could blame him? He went straight to Ethan's bedside, our 4 year old who had been diagnosed earlier that day with Type 1 Diabetes. Ethan was excited to see daddy and began telling him about everything he had missed. He was upbeat and smiling. Of all things...smiling! That's our Ethan!

Ethan has always had a smile that lit up a room. His dad has the same smile. He doesn't know what a stranger is, isn't the least bit shy, and is the "social-butterfly" of our family (not including myself of course!). He has always been VERY inquisitive, smart, and a perfectionist (which he comes by naturally from his father & grandfather.) He also has the biggest heart of any kid I've known! He was always a strong kid, (he had to be with his older brother, Logan, pushing him around all the time), but after diagnosis he grew even stronger. There isn't a day that goes by that I am not amazed by Ethan's strength and determination. I am blessed to have him as my son and lil' protector.

We all stayed a week at the hospital attending classes and going through training on how to take care of Ethan and his diabetes. When it came time to learn how to give him his insulin shot, the diabetic educator had Mark and I give ourselves a shot of saline first. Her theory was that many parents feel they are hurting their child, when in reality it is nothing more than a little poke. It would be easier to give him his shots if we knew how it felt. I wasn't convinced of her theory, but soon learned there was no turning back. 1...2...3... and Mark was done. Me on the other hand, I'm not sure how long we were there. I broke down, sobbing uncontrollably for about 10 minutes. Finally, I closed my eyes (yeah, not the smartest thing to do) and stuck it in. Mark's first words were, "See, that wasn't so bad." I opened my eyes and glared at him. Poor guy, he was just trying to help.

After the traumatic lesson on giving shots, Ethan learned how to check his own blood sugar. He did a great job! And when the nurse gave him his first shot that week it was the ONLY time he cried. (I must say on his behalf however, the lady did NOT know what she was doing and had NO bedside manners!) Before we left, Daddy gave him a shot. They both survived it, with daddy being overly cautious and Ethan reassuring him, "It's okay daddy, it didn't hurt that bad."

10 Years Ago Today-Part 2

My father and I were holding each other and crying when my four year old said, "What's wrong mommy?" I quickly tried wiping the tears away, as my father said, "Mama's just sad honey." I stammered to regain my composure as I went over to sit down beside him. "Ethan sweetie, that was the lady with your results from the test we've been taking." "What did she say mommy?" I choked down more tears as I pulled him closer, "She said you have something called diabetes. You have to stay in the hospital for a few days until we get things under control. Mommy will be right here and daddy will be here soon" to which I started crying again. "What's diabetes?" he asked innocently as he looked up at me with his big brown eyes and face full of freckles. "Well, sweetie, it's what Pappy has. Remember when you watch him test his blood sugars or get him juice when he goes low? You will have to do the same thing now too, but the doctors will teach us all about it and what daddy and I need to do to help you. Okay?"

During this time, my father was on the other side of the room, with tear-filled eyes and a pain stricken heart. I knew from the past, this was the last thing my father, my children's "Pappy" wanted for any of his loved ones. He felt a personal responsibility for Ethan, my four year old, developing diabetes. Yet, we both knew it was no ones fault. We couldn't have stopped this from happening. It was not in our power. It was only in the hands of the Lord now and all we could do was trust in Him. Ethan became concerned about both of us. "What's the big deal mommy? Why is Pappy crying?" I explained to him that Pappy was just sad like mommy and felt like it was his fault. "Pappy didn't do this. It's okay."

That was all it took for me to realize the strength of my little one and that he would always be my little hero! I knew he didn't understand the depth of what having diabetes meant, but yet, I was at peace knowing he was going to be alright. If it had to happen to one of my children, the Lord definitely knew which one could handle it, for this I was thankful.

It took awhile before they were able to get us into a hospital room. While we were waiting, I called my husband at work to give him the dreadful news. I heard his voice and immediately broke down yet again. It was hard to find the words. He was so sure that his lil' boy didn't have anything seriously wrong with him, yet I had to be the bearer of bad news. "Are they sure? Is there anything else it could be?" he questioned. He didn't want to accept the news anymore than the rest of us did. However, deep down he knew what this meant for Ethan and the years to come.

It Started In The Grass Documentary

Documentary photography:
refers to a type of professional photojournalism,
but it may also be an amateur or student pursuit (quest, mission, hunt, activity)

The photographer attempts to:

* create truthful, objective (factual), and usually candid (open, honest, truthful, sincere) photography of a particular subject, most often pictures of people
* the pictures usually depict (represent, show, portray)
a certain perspective (viewpoint) of the photographer

Why is this important you ask?
What does this have to do with the family?

All three boys were outside playing football with each other Sunday when Ethan, our normally cool, calm, and collected son frantically darted in the house yelling, "MOM... MOOOOMMMM!! Come quick! Logan fell and cut his hand on something. The blood is pouring out. He needs you!" Mark immediately jumped off the couch and ran for the door. I made it out after him where Logan was moaning and groaning in pain while holding his right hand. Ethan had already managed to get a towel for him to put pressure on the cut, but the blood was managing to soak through quickly. Mark took one look at it and said, "He's going to need stitches." Ethan and Caleb were ecstatic! You would've thought it was Christmas morning and time to open presents! "I wanna go!" said Caleb. "I am going" said Ethan. To which I replied, "We don't ALL have to go. He will be okay." "But, moooommmm... (whining the whole time) we wanna watch him get stitches..." I of course, gave in to their pleas and off we went...at least I thought we were on our way when, "WAIT! We have to get the camera. Logan is gonna want to see this when it's over!" Ethan yelled . "What? You have to be kidding?? O good grief! Hurry up Ethan!" I retorted. And then it began... the flashing lights... the clicking of the camera...

Ethan documented the entire excursion (or most of it) at the emergency room. I felt his first "student quest at attempting to truthfully and sincerely represent HIS viewpoint" of Logan's jaunt needed some recognition. We ask that you are kind and courteous, he is only 13 (14 tomorrow... sniff.. sniff) and leave your comments, suggestions, and opinions after viewing:

IT STARTED IN THE GRASS
BY: ETHAN M. SPORE

"Once Upon A Time..."

... there were five dogs, three boys (two of which are teenagers), a man (who is known to leap tall buildings in a single bound), and a woman... all living in perfect harmony! Yeah, right.... show me a family that doesn't have a brawl in the middle of the kitchen floor at least once a day.... and... well, that's just not possible! SO....on with the show!

Welcome to The Spore families first blog! I'll be the main "blog-ee," (is there even such a thing?) but HOPE some of the other kin will join in time. Please be patient as this is a work in progress. Check back often and let us know who our fans are! Until then, take care and come back now.. ya hear?